I was tortured in Pakistan, says terrorism suspect

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Melbourne terrorism suspect "Jihad Jack" Thomas was freed
yesterday on $100,000 bail after claiming he was tortured in
Pakistan.

Joseph Terrence Thomas, 31, told a psychiatrist last week he was
threatened with execution and that his wife would be raped after
his arrest in Pakistan two years ago.

Consultant psychiatrist Mark Ryan reported Thomas spoke of
"intrusive memories" about incidents in Pakistan during his time in
solitary confinement at Victoria's Barwon Prison.

Authorities recently admitted that ASIO officers and Australian
Federal Police members conducted interviews with the married father
of two in Pakistan between January and February 2003.

Thomas's untested allegations, which do not suggest the
involvement of any Australian official, formed part of his third
application for bail last Thursday which was granted yesterday in
Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Thomas, the accused "sleeper" agent allegedly recruited by Osama
bin Laden, broke down and sobbed the moment Chief Magistrate Ian
Gray announced he would get bail.

Mr Gray found that Thomas, who faces two terrorism-related
charges with a total maximum sentence of 50 years jail, had shown
exceptional circumstances that justified his release on bail.

Mr Gray yesterday ruled that a combination of factors made
Thomas's application stronger.

Mr Gray read excerpts from Dr Ryan's report in which Thomas
recalled being hooded, handcuffed, shackled and chained in
Pakistani custody and of hearing the screams of others being
interrogated.

Thomas, of Werribee, was released under conditions that include
he report twice daily to police, not leave Australia or apply for a
passport. His committal hearing was set for March 22.